αὔξησις
increasing, increase, growth
Definition
αὔξησις refers to the process or result of increasing, growth, or building up. In the New Testament, it specifically denotes the organic, spiritual growth of the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:16, it describes how the church, joined together, builds itself up in love as each part does its work. In Colossians 2:19, it similarly refers to the growth that comes from God as the head, emphasizing a divine source and direction for the increase.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times by the Apostle Paul in his letters to churches. In both Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:19, it is used in the context of describing the healthy, coordinated growth of the church as a spiritual body. The pattern is metaphorical, applying the concept of physical growth to the spiritual development and unity of believers.
Etymology
Derived from the verb αὔξω (auxō, G837), meaning 'to increase' or 'to grow.' It is a noun form (-σις) indicating the action or result of growing. The root is connected to natural, organic increase, as seen in plants or populations.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the essential nature of the church's development. It teaches that spiritual growth is not individualistic but corporate, stemming from Christ (the head) and facilitated through the loving, interconnected work of every believer (the body). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that Christian maturity is a communal, divinely-powered process of being 'built up' together.
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of growth (αὔξησις) was commonly applied to agriculture, families, and cities. Paul's use co-opts this familiar idea of natural, vital increase and applies it to the new, spiritual reality of the Christian community, which would have been a striking metaphor for his readers.
αὔξω (auxō, G837) — the verb meaning 'to grow' or 'to increase.' οἰκοδομή (oikodomē, G3619) — emphasizes 'building up' or 'edification,' often in a more architectural or instructional sense, whereas αὔξησις focuses on organic growth.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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